Generic Diversion Diagram for Kandahar Airfield
As discussed earlier in the introduction, having reliable and well-documented diversion data is essential for mission planning and execution. I will introduces here a generic diversion diagram tailored for Kandahar Airfield, designed for high-performance military aircraft (HPMA) such as fighter jets. This takes into account to the current in-game environment, which includes southwestern Afghanistan, while preparing for a future updates that will cover the entirety of the country.
The primary airfield considered in this diagram is Kandahar, which served as a hub for operations in all southern Afghanistan during nearly the whole OEF era.
This diversion diagram includes seven airfields: Camp Bastion, Dwyer, Shindand, Herat, Kabul, Bagram and Mazar-e-Sharif. They have been chosen for their physical characteristics (like runway length), the presence of military support during OEF (e.g. Shindand instead of Farah), or the existence of instrument approaches (like at Herat).
The diagram is designed for generic use, accommodating various aircraft and operational scenarios. It mirrors examples such as the diversion planning used around Nellis AFB (cf. previous post) and provides a versatile template for pilots in both training and combat operations.
Key Features of the Diversion Diagram
1. Relative Locations
Range: The distance (in nautical miles) from Kandahar to each divert base (rounded at the closest 5 Nm).
Heading: The magnetic course to reach each airfield (average declination of 3° East).
2. Airfield Information
Each diversion airfield includes the following operational data:
Coordinates and Elevation.
Runway Length and Orientation: Ensuring compatibility with HPMA performance requirements.
AI Tower Frequencies.
Navigation Aids: TACAN (and in the future ILS when available).
Notes:
Two airfields have been given a colored frame: Camp Bastion, as the main diversion airfield, is framed in green, while Kandahar, the focus airfield, is framed in blue.
A NATO airfield designed for HPMA adheres to defined standards to ensure operational safety and efficiency. The runway is a critical element, with minimum dimensions of 2400 meters in length and 45 meters in width.
It is important to note that depending on the time frame you are considering for your scenario, all airfields were not operational. In particular, Camp Bastion runway was built in 2007 while Dwyer Airfield became operational in 2012. As such, the diversion data presented here focuses more on post-2012 operations. Keep this in mind in order to reflect the evolving operational landscape and ensures the relevance of the information.
Next Steps
This generic diversion diagram serves as a generic tool for any pilots operating out of Kandahar. A follow-up version will dive deeper into specifics, focusing on the F/A-18C Hornet and Mirage 2000, since these aircraft will benefit from customized fuel planning.
Copyright: members are free to use this file without restriction. They may not share it or modify it without the creator's permission.
